Although AIG (AIG -1.67%) may cause many Americans to shudder thanks to its headline-grabbing government bailout, the reality is the insurance giant has emerged from the financial crisis and is finally on the road to recovery.

Fool writer Patrick Morris explores three reasons you should consider an investment in the company, especially when compared with esteemed peers Hartford Financial Services (HIG -2.00%) and MetLife (MET -0.01%).

AIG paid the last of its government bailout funds in December of last year, and a number of data points from 2013 show that investors may be the true winners.